State leaders: Deal finally reached

Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 6:45 PM

From left: Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Clark County, and Gov. Jim Gibbons speak to reporters during a press conference to announce that an agreement was reached on the state's budget and a vote may be held tonight. Republican leaders Sen. Bill Raggio and Heidi Gansert also spoke at the announcement. Photo by Jay Balagna/Nevada Sagebrush.

CARSON CITY — Although there will be “pain” for all Nevadans, a deal has finally been reached to solve what turned out to be an $805 million deficit, state leaders announced at 5:30 p.m. Gov. Jim Gibbons commits to sign the bill, which has enough support in both houses to pass.

The Assembly will vote tonight as soon as the finishing touches are added to the bill draft, Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said. Gibbons said he expects the special session to end by midnight as planned.

The plan includes a 6.9 percent cut to higher and K-12 education, four-day work weeks and increased fees for the mining industry and gaming licenses. The Nevada State Prison will remain open, and services to the disabled will remain intact.

“There’s something to like and dislike for everyone,” Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Washoe County, said.

Senators warned, however, that this solution is only temporary as the state’s revenue is down 50 percent — a problem the Legislature will start solving in the regular session, which starts in February.

“We have much more work to do,” Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Clark County, said. “The challenge ahead is just as great.”

Check nevadasagebrush.com for more in-depth stories as the special session comes to a close. Jessica Fryman can be reached at jfryman@nevadasagebrush.com.